Last Modified: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 4:52 p.m.

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About 2:30 p.m., undercover vice and narcotics officers with the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office raided Spin City Internet Sweepstakes in the Monk's Corner shopping center off Van Campen Boulevard. About 15 customers inside were allowed to leave after having their names taken, said Sgt. Jerry Brewer.

"We're going to get this (parlor) today and this will let the other six know we're coming for them next," Brewer said.

While the players could have been cited, law enforcement opted against that move Thursday, he said.

In December the state Supreme Court issued an opinion upholding the General Assembly's 2010 ban of electronic gaming machines. Initially, the ban was not enforced due to ongoing legal challenges.

On Jan. 8, District Attorneys Ben David and Jon David, who together represent New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus and Bladen counties, sent a joint letter to law enforcement confirming they would prosecute violations related to sweepstakes laws.

After that, the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office notified sweepstakes businesses they would enforce the ban.

While a majority of the parlors in New Hanover County closed, at least seven remained open.

Brewer said letters were sent out warning the owners they were in violation of the law. On Thursday, he said, Sheriff Ed McMahon told his investigators to start enforcing the law.

Spin City owner Todd Sutton was not on the premises and will be notified of the citation, Brewer said. Two employees who were working received misdemeanor citations for operating a server-based electronic gaming device. The first offense is a misdemeanor and the second offense a felony, Brewer said.

For Jim Currin, owner of Wilmington Casket & Urn Co. across the parking lot from Spin City, the raid was a welcomed sight.

Currin said the gamers take up all the parking in the small lot adjacent to the Sigmon Road Walmart, and the people he sees going in and out of the gaming parlor don't look like they have the money to gamble.

"I've actually seen people … they obviously live in their cars, all of their stuff's in their cars, and they still go in there to play," he said.

Currin said Spin City moved in just a few weeks ago after what appeared to be a remodel on the space.

<p>Vice officers shut down an Internet sweepstakes parlor Thursday, seizing some 45 computers and issuing misdemeanor citations to two employees and the owner. </p><p>About 2:30 p.m., undercover vice and narcotics officers with the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9932"><b>New Hanover County Sheriff</b></a>'s Office raided Spin City Internet Sweepstakes in the Monk's Corner shopping center off Van Campen Boulevard. About 15 customers inside were allowed to leave after having their names taken, said Sgt. Jerry Brewer.</p><p>"We're going to get this (parlor) today and this will let the other six know we're coming for them next," Brewer said. </p><p>While the players could have been cited, law enforcement opted against that move Thursday, he said. </p><p>In December the state Supreme Court issued an opinion upholding the General Assembly's 2010 ban of electronic gaming machines. Initially, the ban was not enforced due to ongoing legal challenges.</p><p>On Jan. 8, District Attorneys <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic80"><b>Ben David</b></a> and <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9984"><b>Jon David</b></a>, who together represent New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, Columbus and Bladen counties, sent a joint letter to law enforcement confirming they would prosecute violations related to sweepstakes laws.</p><p>After that, the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office notified sweepstakes businesses they would enforce the ban. </p><p>While a majority of the parlors in New Hanover County closed, at least seven remained open. </p><p>Brewer said letters were sent out warning the owners they were in violation of the law. On Thursday, he said, Sheriff <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic79"><b>Ed McMahon</b></a> told his investigators to start enforcing the law. </p><p>Spin City owner Todd Sutton was not on the premises and will be notified of the citation, Brewer said. Two employees who were working received misdemeanor citations for operating a server-based electronic gaming device. The first offense is a misdemeanor and the second offense a felony, Brewer said. </p><p>For Jim Currin, owner of Wilmington Casket & Urn Co. across the parking lot from Spin City, the raid was a welcomed sight. </p><p>Currin said the gamers take up all the parking in the small lot adjacent to the Sigmon Road Walmart, and the people he sees going in and out of the gaming parlor don't look like they have the money to gamble. </p><p>"I've actually seen people … they obviously live in their cars, all of their stuff's in their cars, and they still go in there to play," he said. </p><p>Currin said Spin City moved in just a few weeks ago after what appeared to be a remodel on the space. </p><p>A message left Thursday for Sutton was not immediately returned.</p><p><i></p><p>F.T. Norton: 343-2070</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @FTNorton</i></p>